Meetings for the review of school reviews underway; Yarmouth meeting Jan. 14

Education Minister Karen Casey and Robert Fowler, who will head a consultation committee, speak at a Nov. 26 news conference to update Nova Scotians on a review of the school review process. PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMUNICATIONS NOVA SCOTIA

Public meetings were beginning on Jan. 6, as a committee studying the school review process consults with communities across Nova Scotia.

The consultations committee, headed by Robert Fowler, will hold nine meetings. A meeting in Yarmouth will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 7-9 p.m. at the Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School on Forest Street.

Fowler and a local representative will attend each public meeting. The local representative at the Yarmouth meeting will be David Saxton.

The local representative will listen to the public comments and contribute feedback to the full committee when it meets to discuss recommendations.

"I encourage every Nova Scotian who is interested in improving the school review process to come out and share their views with the committee," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey. "We want a full discussion on a solution that works for all – students, families, school boards and communities."

All meetings from 7-9 p.m. The full list of locations, dates and local representatives are:

Meetings will also be held with local school advisory council representatives in each location.

The deadline for recommendations to the minister is Feb. 28. Meetings with interested groups, such as the Nova Scotia School Boards’ Association, have also been held over the past month.

The public meeting schedule, more information on the consultation process and a discussion paper can be found at www.ednet.ns.ca/schoolreviewprocess. People can also make submissions through the website, e-mail or regular mail.

Education Minister Karen Casey and Robert Fowler, who will head a consultation committee, speak at a Nov. 26 news conference to update Nova Scotians on a review of the school review process. PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMUNICATIONS NOVA SCOTIA